A nonprofit group called Hope Elephants plans to move the animals to a new rehabilitation center built in Hope by this fall.

The move is a dream for the group's founder, veterinarian Jim Laurita.

The Bangor Daily News reported that he built a 1,200-square-foot barn for Rosie, a 42-year-old elephant with whom he worked in the 1970s, and now suffers from arthritis.

Rosie lives in Oklahoma with 27 other elephants from the Carson and Barnes Circus.

Laurita said he got the idea to move Rosie to Maine and try different kinds of physical therapy with her and then share his findings with circus trainers. A second elephant who needs care is also expected to join her.